Graduated cot on friday!!!

[carolinapooh]

YAY! I made it - I graduated from COT yesterday and am now on my way to my first duty station, Lackland AFB/Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, TX!

I was going to post a nice "column", if you would, on my experience, and I still might - but feel free to post any questions you have here and I'll answer what I can.

It's not so bad (but remember, I'm prior enlisted), but I won't say it's easy. Compared to BOT (the regular officer's training that lasts 13 weeks) and compared to what the Army does to get the same direct commission, it's a cakewalk - but it's not "knife and fork" school, so don't let your recruiter fool you. Some of the civilians experienced a bit of culture shock - but trust me when I say it was nothing like BMT.

So if you have any questions, post away.

[mobro]

one other question, for the mess dress i've heard you can rent it instead of buying it. is there time during cot to get off base and rent it? and if so does that need to be arranged before going? i don't know the details but saving all the money of not purchasing is quite appealing unless it's a giant hassle to rent...

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

No, there's not, and the two people I met who rented one had a heck of a time arranging for transportation to and from the rental location. I wouldn't have traded places with them. It was nice just having it handy despite the expense.

[The Little Greek]

also, in the welcome packet link on the cot website there is a question that asks if you would want a leadership position while at cot- would it be to my advantage to say 'yes'? i kind of wanted to say 'no' so i might not have as much to worry about but didn't want to kick myself later...not sure where that question may take me.

This is a MAJORLY loaded question. When they ask this it is a test. When they asked the question of my class, a handful of us came forward. For those that didn't step forward the tongue lashing quickly ensued (i.e. "All Officers are leaders! If you don't want to lead you are in the wrong place!") I've talked to others about what happened in their class to those who didn't step up when the question was posed and they all said the same tongue lashing unleashed. I say stand up and put yourself out there. If you are coming in as a 2dLt it's not likely you'll get chosen for a big position (the Capt's and above usually get chosen) and you will have saved face. Just my 2 cents.

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

I'll say this - they never even TOOK that piece of paper from us, and I can't say I recall the class getting yelled at for not volunteering. I actually still have the thing filled out in a pile of stuff I've yet to go through from COT.

When they asked for volunteers, I volunteered, because having been through Basic already I figured what LittleGreek said would be the case - about twenty of us out of 112 or so went up to the stage. If the class had been screamed at over it (and I can remember plenty of times the class got screamed at) I'm sure I'd remember it. I had a wing position and pretty much everyone in my flight had a flight position if you didn't have one at the wing level.

I've found that COT has turned out to be a lot like Basic - once you leave COT your experience there is nearly irrelevant after the first week or so at your duty station. I don't know if that's the case for those who go through NTP or not.

[mobro]

i bought a blues long sleeve shirt today that fits great except i think that the sleeves are too long and seem baggy...i forgot to ask the alterations lady about it and don't want to drive back several more times to pick up what i already left there for alterations, drop off my shirt, then go back and pick it up. are the sleeves typically baggy or should i get it tailored? and if so i guess any ole tailor could do it? just curious. the rest of the shirt fits great!

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

The sleeves typically aren't baggy, and if you keep your receipt you just might be able to swap it at COT if you're going within the next (I think it's) thirty days. If you must have it tailored, I'd take it to a military base for tailoring because those folks there know the regs inside and out.

The AF uniform shirt should fit like a standard dress shirt, because that's essentially what it is.

[The Little Greek]

i bought a blues long sleeve shirt today that fits great except i think that the sleeves are too long and seem baggy.

I have this same problem. At 5'1" and 105 lbs, there are very few items that I don't have to have tailored--even my ABU shirts. I get my blues shirts taken in on the sides and in the sleeves and this is on the smallest shirt. I find this bagginess a problem primarily in the princess cut. Then again, it's a running joke that in the military, everything job is given to the lowest bidder. I bet if you tried on several shirts in the same size you would likely find considerable differences in size even though they are labeled the same size. This is not an option in my case because clothing sales doesn't even stock my size so I have to order everything online at AAFES.

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

Well, if you're TRULY the little Greek, then you probably ARE SOL. Lol... :0) Your ABUs must fit like a swimming pool.

The whole trying on different shirts but the same size - good advice.

[midinphx, BSN]

I think Little Greek needs to eat more! Fill out those shirts. lol. (I'm just jealous).

[mobro]

also, the skirt had a little envelope attached with a ribbon in it...what is that for?? and the service jacket (not mess dress jacket) has a rope around the shoulder- does that stay there for decoration or have another purpose?

[UTstudent]

I am not sure about the ribbon for the skirt. But the service jacket, as officers you will have that black rope sewn towards the bottom of your jacket arms, alterations know

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

I don't have any idea what the ribbon on the skirt's for either. UT is right about the black rope for the coat sleeves.